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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jjamas on June 28, 2004, at 11:54:55
Hi,
I began tapering off Effexor last night- I only take 37.5 mg, once per day. I took a 25 mg last night and am already feeling a difference. My Dr didn't think putting me on Prozac to counteract the withdrawal would make a difference. I disagree!
I work everyday and can't afford to take sick days to deal with withdrawal symptoms.
What to do???
Posted by awatts on June 28, 2004, at 15:27:20
In reply to In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on June 28, 2004, at 11:54:55
> Hi,
>
> I began tapering off Effexor last night- I only take 37.5 mg, once per day. I took a 25 mg last night and am already feeling a difference. My Dr didn't think putting me on Prozac to counteract the withdrawal would make a difference. I disagree!
>
> I work everyday and can't afford to take sick days to deal with withdrawal symptoms.
>
> What to do???
>
Get the Prozac! You won't need a high dose. From your doctor, or another one. Remind him that it probably won't hurt.
Posted by KaraS on June 28, 2004, at 18:51:15
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by awatts on June 28, 2004, at 15:27:20
I am also tapering off of Effexor now (after being on it for a few years). I have been cutting back gradually and just made the cut from 37.5 to about 28 mg. (3/4 of a pill) a couple of nights ago. I have been supplementing with St. John's Wort (one 300 mg. capsule a day). SJW behaves (like Prozac) as a longer acting serotonergic. This seems to be doing the trick as I've had minimal problems so far. You just have to make sure to do some research and get a quality brand because there is a lot of garbage out there (supplements without sufficient levels of active ingredients) that will do nothing for you. I'm planning on going off of the Effexor extremely slowly (by 1/4 pill every 3-4 weeks) so I can still function. I would love to get off of it sooner but don't want to risk any bad side effects. I will love it when I'm finally off of this even though it really hasn't been a bad medication for me. I got up to 225 mg. from which I received partial relief of my depression with barely any side effects but I want to try for something that would give me total relief. I have also hated the thought that I've been so dependent on it that I would get really ill if I missed a dose or stopped taking it. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!
Posted by jjamas on June 28, 2004, at 19:11:22
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on June 28, 2004, at 18:51:15
Kara,
Which brand of St Johns Wort are you taking? I didn't realize you could take them at the same time. Did someone recommend this to you?
Its great to know that someone else is going through the same thing right now!
Thanks!
Posted by KaraS on June 28, 2004, at 20:06:21
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on June 28, 2004, at 19:11:22
> Kara,
>
> Which brand of St Johns Wort are you taking? I didn't realize you could take them at the same time. Did someone recommend this to you?
>
> Its great to know that someone else is going through the same thing right now!
>
> Thanks!I think I suspected it would work like Prozac because, as I said earlier, I knew that it's a longer acting serotonergic like Prozac (which is what makes Prozac work to dampen withdrawal effects). I think I also read of others using it for that purpose on Kelly's SJW board. I'm not sure if we're allowed to name brands here so I'll give you the web site of Kelly's SJW forum (http://www.sjwinfo.org/). There are tons of posts there which list what are considered to be the three best brands. (BTW, Kelly is a male from Canada who started this forum many years ago in order to impart, and later exchange, info on SJW. No one is trying to sell you anything.) Also, you might want to check out the Alternative boards here at Psycho-Babble. They probably won't list any brands but they may have some posts about people using SJW for witdrawal from SSRIs.
Keep me posted as to how you're doing. I'll let you know if I run into any problems. Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing for both of us!
Posted by torisnana on June 30, 2004, at 17:13:21
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on June 28, 2004, at 20:06:21
> > Kara,
> >
> > Which brand of St Johns Wort are you taking? I didn't realize you could take them at the same time. Did someone recommend this to you?
> >
> > Its great to know that someone else is going through the same thing right now!
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> I think I suspected it would work like Prozac because, as I said earlier, I knew that it's a longer acting serotonergic like Prozac (which is what makes Prozac work to dampen withdrawal effects). I think I also read of others using it for that purpose on Kelly's SJW board. I'm not sure if we're allowed to name brands here so I'll give you the web site of Kelly's SJW forum (http://www.sjwinfo.org/). There are tons of posts there which list what are considered to be the three best brands. (BTW, Kelly is a male from Canada who started this forum many years ago in order to impart, and later exchange, info on SJW. No one is trying to sell you anything.) Also, you might want to check out the Alternative boards here at Psycho-Babble. They probably won't list any brands but they may have some posts about people using SJW for witdrawal from SSRIs.
>
> Keep me posted as to how you're doing. I'll let you know if I run into any problems. Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing for both of us!Hi,
I am planning to taper off of Effexor soon myself. My reason is that I want to take something that will not make me gain weight. I have been on Effexor for over three years, and although for the most part it has worked very well to help stabilize my moods and aleviate my anxiety, if I miss a dose, I get ill and I have gained over thirty pounds. I started out on 37.5 mg and was upped to 75mg, now I am at 150mg once per day and have been at this dose for a year. I gained most of the weight after going up to 150. Does anyone else have this problem with Effexor, and does anyone know of an alternative SSRI which doesn't make you gain weight?
Posted by KaraS on June 30, 2004, at 23:22:51
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by torisnana on June 30, 2004, at 17:13:21
Effexor didn't have that effect on me. Did you gain weight on Prozac? Chances are that they all will if Effexor did (seeing as it's one of the more stimulating). Have you tried St. John's Wort or 5-HTP or Tryptophan? They're serotonergic as well. The latter two are supposed to actually curb your appetite. You might want to look into them or pursue a different line of meds entirely. I know that the extra weight can produce depression all by itself. Good luck!
Posted by Buckeye Fan on July 1, 2004, at 7:16:52
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on June 30, 2004, at 23:22:51
I too experienced weight GAIN with Effexor...but not with Zoloft. I am not sure if that is significant or not...since the I took Zoloft for several years( with no real weight gain) and yet after less than one year with Effexor...my weight
went up 20 pounds.I am beginning my 2nd month of being Effexor Free
and I have gained no more weight...but I have also not LOSS any of the weight I gained!!!!! Guess I am going to half to "work it off" through exercise and diet.I have noticed an increasing return of the Anxiety that prompted me to go on Anti-Depressants in the first place...I would not be honest if I said otherwise. I stated a month ago that I would keep anyone interested, of my progress.
To date ( I hope this helps you jjamus) I went through the withdrawl stage( about a month in my case) and have survivied it..and really am beginning to feel more like my "old self" in regards to emotions,clarity of thought, motivation, drive and enthusiasm. ( all area's that were affected adversely for me while on AD's)The downside so far, is, a one PDoc put it..."our
emotions are a mixed bad"... The very same energy and animation that makes us, US....causes Anxiety and Depression also, if it is too much, wrongly harnessed, or if we suffer from a genetic predisposition to Aniety and/or Depression.
That appears to be where I am slowly headed...back
to the Original overly anxious mind set that started me on the AD path several years ago.
Alprazolem( Xanax) is great for handeling this anxiety..for the short term.
The trouble I am beginning to notice is that the
longer I am "off" Effexor...slowly, I seem to be returning to the overly anxious person I was before. I thought I had learned better ways to handle anxiety on a daily basis..but obvioulsy I have more work to do!!Anyways...I will continue to seek relief through exercise, multivitamin suppliments, more concious attempts at "relaxing", letting go, and realizing that anxious thoughts are just that..thoughts, not real life threats.
I will keep you posted..and good luck with your weening off Effexor. Keep in mind that the hard part of withdrawl WILL pass...but the condition which brough about the diagnosis and prescribing of and AD.. will still be present in some cases, so hopefully you have dealt with the "root" cause of your problems, as you discontinue your Effexor
God bless
Buckeye Fan
Posted by KaraS on July 2, 2004, at 21:13:24
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by Buckeye Fan on July 1, 2004, at 7:16:52
In a thread below, Linkadge claims that he got serotonin syndrome from combining SJW with an SSRI. I am taking a very small amount of Effexor now with a very small amount of SJW and I've had no problems at all but I think I'm going to stop the SJW. I'll get a prescription for Prozac to help me finish the withdrawal process. Better safe than sorry!! Please respond and let me know that you both read this. Thanks.
Posted by KaraS on July 3, 2004, at 19:58:38
In reply to Re: JJamas Torisnana - tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on July 2, 2004, at 21:13:24
> In a thread below, Linkadge claims that he got serotonin syndrome from combining SJW with an SSRI. I am taking a very small amount of Effexor now with a very small amount of SJW and I've had no problems at all but I think I'm going to stop the SJW. I'll get a prescription for Prozac to help me finish the withdrawal process. Better safe than sorry!! Please respond and let me know that you both read this. Thanks.
I may have been a bit hasty in sending off the message above but I got scared when I read about Linkadge's problem with serotonin syndrome. Some others on this board (and the alternative board) with a lot of knowledge and background have since weighed in on this issue and all seem to agree that it's safe to combine SJW and Effexor as long as you're taking very small amounts of both as I was doing. That said, I think Linkadge is right that you have to be very careful with it and that Prozac is probably the best way to go. (You also have to be careful of the dosage of Prozac that you're adding.)
Posted by jjamas on July 12, 2004, at 10:37:18
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on June 28, 2004, at 20:06:21
Kara,
I am attempting to take 25 mg every other day and am having a really hard time since I wake up with an awful headache and slight nausea. It doesn't even seem to be that big a jump from 37.5 mg once a day, but apparently it is.
Other than SJW or Prozac, is there a way to do this slower to avoid some of the side effects? Like, when you took some dots out of the capsules, how many did you take out each time?
Posted by KaraS on July 14, 2004, at 16:30:37
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on July 12, 2004, at 10:37:18
> Kara,
>
> I am attempting to take 25 mg every other day and am having a really hard time since I wake up with an awful headache and slight nausea. It doesn't even seem to be that big a jump from 37.5 mg once a day, but apparently it is.
>
> Other than SJW or Prozac, is there a way to do this slower to avoid some of the side effects? Like, when you took some dots out of the capsules, how many did you take out each time?
JJamas,I almost missed your post because it was in a new thread...
The hardest part of the withdrawal for most people is from 37.5 mg. down to nothing. That's when it's best to go sloooooowly. I have a 37.5 mg. pill rather than a capsule and I've been breaking it into quarters. I went 1 whole pill down to 3/4 of a pill and stayed there about 3 weeks. I recently went down to 1/2 pill. It's a drag to go that slowly but the flip side is few problems. I'm not sure if you can guage the capsule by quarters like that. If not, you might want to post to Lorily. She was opening the capsules and counting out the beads.
Posted by jjamas on July 14, 2004, at 16:37:51
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on July 14, 2004, at 16:30:37
Thanks. Maybe I'll switch to the tablet when I refill next week. I was thinking of just switching back to Lexapro while I taper off the Effexor. I've gotten off Lexapro before and already know I can do it.
This is so hard. I guess going from 37.5 to 25 is a big jump. But 3/4 of a pill is only 28.1 mg. Oh well...I'll try anything! I just want to be OFF this Effexor!
> > Kara,
> >
> > I am attempting to take 25 mg every other day and am having a really hard time since I wake up with an awful headache and slight nausea. It doesn't even seem to be that big a jump from 37.5 mg once a day, but apparently it is.
> >
> > Other than SJW or Prozac, is there a way to do this slower to avoid some of the side effects? Like, when you took some dots out of the capsules, how many did you take out each time?
>
>
> JJamas,
>
> I almost missed your post because it was in a new thread...
>
> The hardest part of the withdrawal for most people is from 37.5 mg. down to nothing. That's when it's best to go sloooooowly. I have a 37.5 mg. pill rather than a capsule and I've been breaking it into quarters. I went 1 whole pill down to 3/4 of a pill and stayed there about 3 weeks. I recently went down to 1/2 pill. It's a drag to go that slowly but the flip side is few problems. I'm not sure if you can guage the capsule by quarters like that. If not, you might want to post to Lorily. She was opening the capsules and counting out the beads.
Posted by KaraS on July 14, 2004, at 17:50:48
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on July 14, 2004, at 16:37:51
That's true - 28 mg. vs. 25 mg. isn't that much different. Were you alternating the 37.5 mg. with the 25 mg. or did you just take 25 mg. every other day? If it was the former, then I am surprised too that you are having so much trouble. If that's the case, you might be better off with the capsules because you'll be able to reduce more slowly by counting out beads. Lexapro would probably help a lot as you suggested but what a hassle to have to go back on it just for this reason.
Oh well, good luck to you and keep us posted!
Posted by jjamas on July 19, 2004, at 11:47:19
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on July 14, 2004, at 17:50:48
Thanks! I am on my 4th day of tapering and its not too bad. I am taking 25 mg one day and 37.5 mg the next day. I just have a weird sensation behind my eyes. Is the worst over or is it the same feeling everytime you drop down to a new dosage?
Posted by KaraS on July 19, 2004, at 16:15:34
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on July 19, 2004, at 11:47:19
> Thanks! I am on my 4th day of tapering and its not too bad. I am taking 25 mg one day and 37.5 mg the next day. I just have a weird sensation behind my eyes. Is the worst over or is it the same feeling everytime you drop down to a new dosage?
>
>
Unfortunately, once you drop down to a new dosage (once you're going past the 37.5 mg. part), there are some repercussions. I am at 1/2 of 37.5 mg. pill now and I have been getting a little bit of nausea which I think is attributable to cutting back on Effexor but I'm not positive. At any rate, last night I took 1 capsule of St. John's Wort (300 mg.) and I feel better this morning.I'm not sure if alternating the 37.5 with the 25 is such a good idea. With the half-life of this med being so short, you may just be setting up your body's expectation of 37.5 mg. again each time that you take it.
Hang in there. It will get better! (Keep me posted.)
Kara
Posted by jjamas on July 25, 2004, at 21:39:01
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on July 19, 2004, at 16:15:34
Just wanted to let you know that I am now taking 25 mg daily and the dizziness/headache symptoms have disappeared. This doesn't seem so bad. Although I am finding myself moody and can cry at the drop of a hat. I guess that's part of the withdrawal.
Anyway, just wanted to keep you posted. How are you doing, Kara?
Posted by KaraS on July 25, 2004, at 22:46:01
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on July 25, 2004, at 21:39:01
> Just wanted to let you know that I am now taking 25 mg daily and the dizziness/headache symptoms have disappeared. This doesn't seem so bad. Although I am finding myself moody and can cry at the drop of a hat. I guess that's part of the withdrawal.
>
> Anyway, just wanted to keep you posted. How are you doing, Kara?
I'm glad to hear that you're doing well! Stay on that dose a while and the moodiness and crying easily should disappear. I've been at the same dose for a while now so no side effects. I'm going away for a week or so and then after that I'll decrease again. Can't wait. (not!)Be well,
Kara
Posted by I cook for you on July 27, 2004, at 21:23:27
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on July 25, 2004, at 22:46:01
> > Just wanted to let you know that I am now taking 25 mg daily and the dizziness/headache symptoms have disappeared. This doesn't seem so bad. Although I am finding myself moody and can cry at the drop of a hat. I guess that's part of the withdrawal.
> >
> > Anyway, just wanted to keep you posted. How are you doing, Kara?
>
>
> I'm glad to hear that you're doing well! Stay on that dose a while and the moodiness and crying easily should disappear. I've been at the same dose for a while now so no side effects. I'm going away for a week or so and then after that I'll decrease again. Can't wait. (not!)
>
> Be well,
> Kara
>I am new to this board today, which is why you haven't seen me before. I can't tell you how glad I am to have found you all! I know I am not alone, and my decision to detox from Effexor seems to be a prudent one.
I have been taking 37.5 mg. since inception 11 months ago. I never felt the need to up to the usual dosage of 75 because the half dosage was working fine, until about 2 months ago. Depression set in again, and knew there was something else wrong. As I am suspecting, it's hormonal changes with the onset of menopause. Two of my docs wanted me to increase to 75 mg. I don't want to. I want to get off this drug so I can solve my hormonal imbalance and get on with my life.
Thanks to all of you, I will continue to read and learn from you all. I am now taking my 37.5 capsule every other day with no real detriment. If there's any other suggestions on where to go from here with my detox, your suggestions are greatly welcomed. Thanks again! You've saved my sanity.
Posted by jjamas on July 28, 2004, at 8:27:57
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by I cook for you on July 27, 2004, at 21:23:27
If you're having "withdrawal symptoms" when taking 37.5 every other day, you may want to add in 25 mg to your regimen (its a children's dosage that most Drs. don't know about). I started by taking 37.5 one day and 25 mg the next. Now I am taking 25 mg everyday and will cut that in half next week. The 25 mgs are tablets and are easier to cut in half (and then in quarters) than the XR capsules.
Keep us posted on your progress! Good luck!
Posted by jjamas on August 2, 2004, at 9:47:42
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on July 25, 2004, at 22:46:01
Kara,
How are you doing? I have been reading posts on this site and am scared what will happen when I get down to no effexor. Is that when withdrawal sets in for real? How far along are you?
J
Posted by I cook for you on August 2, 2004, at 10:02:32
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on August 2, 2004, at 9:47:42
Well, after being on 37.5 for almost a year, I started taking the capsule every other day for about a week and a half. I currently have not had any meds now for six days. Yesterday was the first time I experienced 'withdrawal' symptoms. I had a headache all day, tired but not able to sleep, and then had trouble falling asleep last night. I am a bit tired today, but will stick it out as I refuse to take another pill. I figure I can always restart at any time.
In that I was prescribed this originally last year for my depression associated with the change of life, when it stopped working in April, I realized that my problems now were due to hormonal change. I would prefer to fix that problem rather than cover up the symptoms with Effexor.
I knew detoxing was going to be rough, but this isn't something that I can't handle. Due to the fact that I was on such a low dosage to begin with, I can only suggest that when you finally get down to the 37.5 dosage, an every other day for probably two weeks, then gradually down from there. My gynocologist didn't have a problem with me getting off this drug, and the slow weaning process I told her I was going to do. I told her this is where I got my help to go forth with this endeavor.
Posted by KaraS on August 2, 2004, at 13:22:03
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by jjamas on August 2, 2004, at 9:47:42
> Kara,
>
> How are you doing? I have been reading posts on this site and am scared what will happen when I get down to no effexor. Is that when withdrawal sets in for real? How far along are you?
>
> JHi J,
Are you still at about 28 mg? I'm going to cut back to a quarter pill (~ 9.4 mg.) from a half a pill sometime in the next few days. I'm a little scared too. I'll take a St. John's Wort capsule that evening I cut back and maybe on some other nights if I feel I need it. Ginkgo also helps a lot of people (not to mention Prozac) so these are all options if the effects get too bad. So far though I have to knock on wood because they've been very mild but I haven't gone off of it completely yet.Kara
Posted by KaraS on August 2, 2004, at 13:23:26
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on August 2, 2004, at 13:22:03
J,
I meant are you still at 25 mg.
-K
Posted by jjamas on August 2, 2004, at 13:48:31
In reply to Re: In process of tapering off Effexor, posted by KaraS on August 2, 2004, at 13:23:26
Yeah, I am still at 25 mg, but am getting ready to start cutting it in half. I have a Dr appt (for something else) on Wed, so I may ask her opinion about what to do if major withdrawal sets in. My other Dr doesn't seem to think there are bad withdrawal symptoms associated with Effexor, so I'll see what this one says.
Good luck!
J
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